U of R vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Rochester in Rochester, NY with Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Rochester is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (11,946 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Rochester is located in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Rochester 9:1; Vassar College 7:1.

U of R vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of R or Vassar? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Vassar College than U of R ($29,981 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vassar College are 7.8% lower than at University of Rochester ($18,240 vs. $19,792).
• Vassar College is 5.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than U of R (about $3,950 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $67,080.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.9% higher at Vassar than at University of Rochester (about $3,950 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $67,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rochester than at Vassar College (72% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 26.2% larger than aid received by University of Rochester students ($57,443 vs. $45,500).

U of R vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of R or Vassar? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Vassar and U of R.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 20 points higher than at U of R (1480).
• Incoming Vassar students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at U of R).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 1410/1540; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 31/34; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of R - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: U of R Jan 5, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vassar students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at U of R (3.75).
• U of R has a higher acceptance rate (40.1%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at U of R vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

U of R vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of R and Vassar? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than University of Rochester's (83%).
• Graduates from University of Rochester earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,000 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $8,720 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($15,780 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($163 vs. $253).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 79%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.